Across the United States, more students are choosing trade schools and apprenticeship programs over traditional college degrees. Enrollment in these programs is growing fast, especially in fields like welding, electrical work, HVAC, and healthcare support. As the cost of four-year colleges continues to climb, students and families are questioning whether the traditional route is worth the debt. Meanwhile, trade programs are proving to be a faster, more affordable path to a good job, often with less financial burden and more job security.
According to the National Student Clearinghouse, vocational-focused community colleges saw a 16 percent increase in enrollment in 2023. That is the biggest jump since 2018. At the same time, enrollment at traditional four-year universities has been dropping for over a decade. In places like Colorado, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Nevada, and Massachusetts, local schools and trade centers are seeing record numbers of students choosing hands-on, skill-based careers.
High School Students Land High-Paying Jobs
At Father Judge High School in Philadelphia, students can take part in a welding program that gives them the training and certifications needed to land high-paying jobs before they even graduate. The school has built out a full welding lab with 32 bays, and it partners with companies like Holtec International, DCF Fabricators, Philly Shipyard, and L3 Harris to help students move straight into the workforce.
Welding instructor Joe Williams told FOX Business, “There’s more of a need for welders, blue-collar workers and things like that. And there are other ways to be successful than just college.” He added, “The demand is great, the success rate is great and, because of that, these guys are being offered career-driven, high-paid jobs before graduation.”
One student named Elijah already received a $70,000 job offer while still in high school. “Just putting in the time, putting in the work at welding, you know, thanks to Mr. Will giving me the opportunity to be able to do things like this,” he said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to even have something like this.”
Learning While Earning in Nevada
In Reno, Nevada, students at the Northern Nevada Electrical Training Center (NNETC) are being trained for real-world electrical jobs with no tuition costs. “There is no cost to them for being in this school,” said Assistant Training Director Aaron Murakami. “They are required to pay for their books every year, but aside from that, they’re not paying anything.” Students also earn a paycheck while they’re in the program, making it easier to stay out of debt.
Murakami said that many students learn better through hands-on experience rather than sitting in a lecture. “We get these apprentices basically educated on the classroom side of things and give them some of the hands-on skills that maybe they’re not getting in the field,” he said.
NNETC apprentices graduate with several industry-recognized certifications, including OSHA 30, City of Reno certification, and California state certification. These credentials help them step directly into jobs that pay well. Electricians in the U.S. earn over $60,000 on average, and foremen make closer to $80,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Veterans and Adults Reimagining Their Careers
The shift toward trade schools is not just happening among high school graduates. Many working adults and veterans are choosing trade programs to make career changes or start fresh. In Pueblo, Colorado, Ryan Knock, a U.S. Air Force veteran, enrolled in the massage therapy program at IntelliTec College after years of paying off student loans from his previous bachelor’s degree.
“It was definitely a thorn in your side, throughout the majority of the coming into your adult life,” Knock said about his college debt. He now believes trade school offers a better path. “One: The cost, and two: you’re just focused on that career,” he said.
Peggy Rayburn, Director of Operations for IntelliTec, explained why enrollment is rising. “We did see an uptick in enrollment in all of our campuses,” she said. “It is due to that simple fact of quick education, quick certification, as well as that employment support.” The college offers programs in HVAC, automotive technology, computer systems, and nursing assistant training.
What Is Driving the Shift?
The cost of college is one major factor. From 2005 to 2025, the cost of attending public colleges grew by 158 percent, and private colleges rose by 132 percent. Many students graduate with debts averaging over $37,000, while trade school students usually owe around $10,000 or less.
Another factor is the changing job market. More than half of employers today say they no longer require a college degree for many jobs. Companies like IBM, Delta Airlines, and Bank of America now hire based on skills and certifications rather than diplomas. With a focus on real-world training, trade programs can be completed in about two years, compared to the four years or more needed for a traditional degree.
College programs are often criticized for teaching too much general education and not enough job-specific training. In fact, 50 percent of a bachelor’s degree program is usually focused on general studies, not skills needed for specific careers.
A Success Story from Massachusetts
Riley McKnight, a student at Blue Hills Regional Technical High School in Canton, Massachusetts, began welding in high school and earned several advanced certifications. “Most of my family is in the trades, whether it’s carpentry or recycling or lasers,” she said. “So I thought it was cool.”
She applied to nearly every welding company within a 50-mile radius before finding a paid position at Blue Atlantic Fabricators in East Boston. Despite some companies being hesitant to hire a female welder, she stayed determined. “A lot of them would just be like, ‘Oh, we’re not hiring.’ And I even had some just be like, ‘Oh, I don’t know how comfortable I’d be with a girl working here,’” McKnight said.
Her instructors praised her skill and work ethic. “Riley’s actually really learned very quickly,” said Michael Julian, a welder at Blue Hills. “It usually takes a year or two coming from a trade school.”
According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, women now make up the largest percentage of the skilled trades workforce ever recorded, though only 5.3 percent of welders are currently women.
What Experts and Critics Are Saying
Some industry experts believe this trend could help boost union membership as more young people enter trades. “Young people ask why a union electrician makes $100,000 and many college graduates are only making $40,000,” said Greg Lalevee, business manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825. “Trades are relatively recession-proof.”
Peter Connolly, CEO of the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, echoed that view. “Manufacturers need people who have more than just a classroom education,” he said. “They need people who are familiar with the tools they will find around a shop.” He noted that training in welding, shop math, and workplace safety are in high demand.
Some higher education experts warn that not all trades offer long-term growth and that students should still research their options. Others argue that college is still valuable for certain fields and leadership roles. But many agree that trade schools offer a valid alternative.
Todd Vachon, director of the Labor Education Action Research Network at Rutgers University, said, “Anecdotally, I have been hearing much more about friends’ and colleagues’ children wanting to pursue that route [trades] rather than a college degree, and all of the debt that accompanies it.”
The Future of Learning
Whether motivated by rising college debt, shifting employer expectations, or a desire for meaningful work, students are finding success in the trades. Trade schools, apprenticeships, and certification programs are opening doors for people of all ages and backgrounds. As more students choose these hands-on paths, the nation’s workforce may become more skilled, less burdened by debt, and better prepared for the challenges of tomorrow’s economy.
